New Army command aims to help counter China, Russia threats

LOLITA C. BALDORJuly 13, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Army leaders say the creation of a new Texas-based Army command focused on the future will help the service adapt to the emerging threats from powers such as China and Russia, after years of counterinsurgency warfare.

The Army’s chief of staff, Gen. Mark Milley, tells reporters that the military recognized that China and Russia have improved their capabilities while the U.S. has been fighting insurgents for the past 16 years.

Milley says the Army is in the midst of a change in the very character of war. He says modernization programs had been set aside in order to wage the current fight.

In response, the Army says it’s launching Futures Command in Austin, Texas, to insure the service is ready for future wars.